Monday, October 21, 2013

Why did it take me this long to figure out...Hello!!

Well, I am a little embarrassed but, that isn't anything new for me. So, I have been teaching 16 years, and I would have thought this would have come to me sooner. For kinder, we always do projects where they can practice their cutting skills. I have them make a few of the shapes by tracing, but I do the majority, so they can consentrate on the cutting part. I always do the same thing, find an object and trace 125 for one shape, repeat for a second shape, before you know it I've traced 500 or more, and then I despise the artwork...because my hand hurts. It just dawned on me a few days ago that I could take an object and stamp it rather than trace it. I did about 700 shapes in about 15 minutes, and my hand didn't hurt. So, if you are spending hours tracing shapes for your students, save yourself some time and pain and stamp those shapes. Your hands will love you for it!!

I have actually copied shapes on the copier, or at least until the copier starts miss feeding the construction paper, as it usually does! But most of the time I am doing the shapes on painted paper. I guess I'm a glutton for punishment!!

About Me

I am the K-5 art teacher for Elm Grove Elementary in the Hays school district, just outside of Austin, Tx. I am in my 20th year of teaching and I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that I pretty much have the best job ever! I love experimenting with materials, lessons with Literacy, adding in cultural experiences, as well as studying great artist from the past and present.

Splash

Welcome to my art blog. This is meant to be a place for me to document art projects and happenings here at school and sometimes in the district. My hope is that students and their families will visit from time to time and catch up on what is happening in the art room throughout the school year. This is also a place to share with other art teachers and educators. If you visit my page, I would love for you to join and comment on the art pieces. The more, the merrier!!